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Transcript of CE on human swine influenza vaccination (with photo/video)
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     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session after receiving vaccination against human swine influenza at Sai Wan Ho General Out-patient Clinic today (December 17):

Chief Executive: I've just received the human swine flu vaccination with our Secretaries and also with more than 10 representatives of the medical sector. The whole process was very fast and rather painless.

     We all know that the human swine flu cases continue to be found all over the world. In Hong Kong, the situation may become more serious with the approach of the winter influenza peak.

     We have been, as a community, very alert and we have to act fast to safeguard the health of the general public.

     The Government will launch the human swine flu vaccination programme from December 21. About two million people belonging to the five target groups may receive vaccinations on a voluntary basis and totally free.

     They include chronic patients, pregnant women, children aged from 6 months to under 6 years, elderly like myself, aged 65 or above ¡V healthcare workers ¡V like York here - and workers in the pig farming industry.

     I would also say a few words about the US recall of some of the swine flu vaccine.  The recalled lot in the US consists of "pre-filled syringes" for paediatric use, and that is different from the Hong Kong batch which consists of "multi-dose vials", which, as far as we know, is for 10 injections.

     The recalled lot is produced in the United States, while ours is from France. The Department of Health has checked the specification and the batch certificates very carefully and they conform totally with our potency specifications. Also, the manufacturer of our vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, is the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world. They are responsible for producing about a quarter of the total global production. More than two million patients in Europe have been vaccinated with exactly the same vaccine that I received earlier today. The reaction is generally very mild and is very safe. There is no need for people to be worried. I would encourage those in the five at-risk groups to receive the vaccination as quickly as possible. This is not only for their own sake and for the sake of other people who are in close contact with them.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Thursday, December 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:00

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